PRETORIA, Gauteng — In a major shakeup within the South African Police Service (SAPS), Brigadier Rachel Matjeng has been officially dismissed from her position, effective June 30, 2026. The dismissal of Rachel Matjeng marks a significant milestone in the force’s ongoing crackdown on internal corruption, specifically concerning her illicit relationship with notorious alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane publicly welcomed the termination, framing it as a critical step in restoring integrity to the law enforcement agency. The high-ranking officer was ousted following the conclusion of a strict internal disciplinary process that found her guilty of multiple severe misconduct charges directly tied to Matlala.
According to the disciplinary outcomes, Matjeng’s infractions were extensive. She was found guilty of accepting gratification and engaging in money laundering. Furthermore, the hearing established that she engaged in highly improper conduct by advising Matlala in ways that directly undermined the interests of the SAPS. In a particularly egregious breach of duty, she was also convicted of conduct prejudicial to the administration of the police service after handing over a confidential list detailing the identities of SAPS members to Matlala, allegedly to secure personal financial gain. Dishonesty was also cited among the proven charges.
Addressing the severity of the offenses, Dimpane emphasized that the outcome of this disciplinary hearing serves as an unequivocal warning. She stated that the ruling sends a clear, uncompromising message to all officers: corruption, criminal behavior, and any form of collusion with underworld syndicates will absolutely not be tolerated within the ranks of the South African Police Service.
The firing of Matjeng arrives amidst a broader, systemic cleanup of the police service, heavily influenced by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Earlier this year in January, the Presidency issued a statement regarding the Commission’s interim report. The document revealed that 14 top-tier officials across both the SAPS and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) were officially referred for further investigation after being flagged as potential wrongdoers by the Commission.
These sweeping disciplinary and investigative actions stem from the Commission’s interim report and subsequent recommendations, which were formally handed over to President Cyril Ramaphosa in December 2025. After a thorough review of the findings, the President officially accepted the recommendations, paving the way for the aggressive purge of compromised officials currently underway.
